Skip to content

Economy of China vs Djibouti compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $4.15B for Djibouti, ranking 2/197 and 165/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $1.36B (32.9% of GDP) in Djibouti.

China vs Djibouti GDP by year

China
Djibouti
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Djibouti
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $4,152,145,940
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $3,898,447,007
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $3,562,814,909
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $3,392,796,953
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $3,144,136,197
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $3,088,851,450
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $2,913,464,658
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $2,762,581,334
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $2,604,955,229
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $2,424,391,785
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $2,220,637,966
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $2,044,440,443
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $1,353,632,942
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $1,239,144,502
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $1,128,611,700
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $1,049,110,685
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $999,105,339
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $847,918,929
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $768,873,684
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $708,633,195
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $666,072,102
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $622,044,666
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $591,122,040
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $572,417,441
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $551,230,862
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $536,080,148
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $514,267,869
1997 $967,753,570,435 $502,675,542
1996 $868,523,936,530 $494,004,648
1995 $738,190,896,228 $497,723,961
1994 $566,929,539,493 $491,689,221
1993 $446,557,291,212 $466,048,469
1992 $428,502,354,788 $478,058,305
1991 $384,510,452,962 $462,421,999
1990 $361,560,229,446 $452,328,087
1989 $348,380,566,802 $409,220,087
1988 $312,888,888,889 $395,794,539
1987 $273,455,156,951 $373,371,738
1986 $301,310,144,928 -
1985 $310,064,625,850 $340,989,528
1984 $260,442,857,143 -
1983 $231,130,268,199 -
1982 $205,480,916,031 -
1981 $196,218,253,968 -
1980 $191,487,500,000 -
1979 $178,573,913,043 -
1978 $149,788,617,886 -
1977 $175,226,595,860 -
1976 $154,196,810,059 -
1975 $163,687,619,736 -
1974 $144,418,433,058 -
1973 $138,764,340,892 -
1972 $113,871,930,714 -
1971 $99,959,013,880 -
1970 $92,752,930,873 -
1969 $79,847,786,729 -
1968 $70,980,323,819 -
1967 $73,011,350,596 -
1966 $76,854,053,259 -
1965 $70,565,994,356 -
1964 $59,821,862,703 -
1963 $50,812,227,919 -
1962 $47,310,737,754 -
1961 $50,162,299,350 -
1960 $59,846,235,025 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/djibouti | CC BY

GDP per capita in China vs Djibouti by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Djibouti
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Djibouti
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $3,553 $7,810
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $3,381 $7,226
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $3,133 $6,621
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $3,026 $5,960
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $2,845 $5,527
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $2,837 $5,398
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $2,718 $5,083
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $2,619 $4,677
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $2,510 $4,432
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $2,376 $4,264
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $2,215 $3,978
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $2,076 $3,762
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $1,400 -
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $1,306 -
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $1,213 -
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $1,151 -
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $1,119 -
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $970 -
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $898 -
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $844 -
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $806 -
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $765 -
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $743 -
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $742 -
2000 $969 $2,964 $738 -
1999 $881 $2,690 $740 -
1998 $835 $2,483 $735 -
1997 $787 $2,297 $748 -
1996 $713 $2,088 $762 -
1995 $613 $1,884 $786 -
1994 $476 $1,680 $785 -
1993 $379 $1,471 $759 -
1992 $368 $1,276 $764 -
1991 $334 $1,105 $733 -
1990 $319 $991 $780 -
1989 $311 - $782 -
1988 $284 - $817 -
1987 $252.3 - $822 -
1986 $282.4 - - -
1985 $295 - $847 -
1984 $251.2 - - -
1983 $225.9 - - -
1982 $203.7 - - -
1981 $197.4 - - -
1980 $195.1 - - -
1979 $184.3 - - -
1978 $156.7 - - -
1977 $185.7 - - -
1976 $165.7 - - -
1975 $178.6 - - -
1974 $160.4 - - -
1973 $157.3 - - -
1972 $132.1 - - -
1971 $118.8 - - -
1970 $113.3 - - -
1969 $100.3 - - -
1968 $91.6 - - -
1967 $96.8 - - -
1966 $104.5 - - -
1965 $98.7 - - -
1964 $85.7 - - -
1963 $74.5 - - -
1962 $71.1 - - -
1961 $76 - - -
1960 $89.7 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/djibouti | CC BY

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $3,553 in Djibouti, ranking 133/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Djibouti ranks 143rd at $7,810.

Economic indicators

China Djibouti
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$4.15B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
165/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
6.98%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$3,553
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
133/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$7,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
143/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$1.36B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
32.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$1,167
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
137/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$2,690
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
450
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
32.3%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
1.9%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
20.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
2.1%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
40%
2017
Population
1402578808
1203929

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Djibouti
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Djibouti
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 20.6% 32.9%
2023 32.7% 82% 21.5% 35.4%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 21% 38.3%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 23.1% 40.3%
2020 34.8% 69% 25.8% 42.1%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 24.9% 41.1%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 25.9% 47.5%
2017 32% 53.9% 23.9% 48%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 25.9% 45.9%
2015 31% 40.8% 42% 40.3%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 29% 26.9%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 26.8% 24.6%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 26.5% 25%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 25.3% 25.7%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 26.6% 27.9%
2009 25.2% 34% 31% 29.5%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 28.8% 59.3%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 26.6% 56.6%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 23.8% 58.3%
2005 18% 25.9% 26.2% 60.3%
2004 17.6% 26% 26.7% 65.3%
2003 18% 26.4% 25.8% 66.3%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 23.4% 63.7%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 21% 58.1%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 23.2% 58.1%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 23.5% 58.5%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 24% 55.2%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 25% 56%
1996 11% 21.2% 23.7% 53.1%
1995 11.1% 21.4% 27% 50.9%
1994 12.4% - 30.9% -
1993 13.4% - 35.3% -
1992 14.6% - 34.9% -
1991 16.5% - 27.7% -
1990 18.2% - 30.2% -
1989 18.6% - - -
1988 20.9% 4.46% - -
1987 23.4% 3.6% - -
1986 25.6% 3.24% - -
1985 25.8% 3.31% - -
1984 26.9% 0.97% - -
1983 28.3% - - -
1982 27.9% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–2008, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/djibouti | CC BY

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Djibouti spent $856M, or 20.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 32.9% in Djibouti, ranking 34/185 and 149/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Djibouti
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Djibouti
2024 -7.34% -2.6%
2023 -6.71% -3.46%
2022 -7.32% -1.48%
2021 -5.9% -3.05%
2020 -9.56% -2.58%
2019 -6% -0.98%
2018 -4.2% -1.98%
2017 -3.34% -0.21%
2016 -3.33% -0.76%
2015 -2.5% -15.5%
2014 -0.67% -6.92%
2013 -0.82% -0.34%
2012 -0.3% -2.04%
2011 -0.1% -1.18%
2010 -0.36% -1.04%
2009 -1.72% -3.88%
2008 -0.02% 0.62%
2007 0.06% -1.88%
2006 -1.13% 0.26%
2005 -1.38% -1.18%
2004 -1.49% -3.67%
2003 -2.36% -4.13%
2002 -2.84% -4.56%
2001 -2.56% -3.61%
2000 -2.81% -3.97%
1999 -2.3% -5.2%
1998 -1.08% -3.59%
1997 -0.73% -2.86%
1996 -0.73% -1.77%
1995 -0.94% -5.13%
1994 -1.68% -4.97%
1993 -0.89% -7.1%
1992 -1.22% -6.13%
1991 -1.04% -0.86%
1990 -0.72% -3.25%
1989 -0.91% -
1988 -2.22% -
1987 -2.08% -
1986 -1.82% -
1985 -0.45% -
1984 -1.44% -
1983 -1.61% -
1982 -1.33% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/djibouti | CC BY

In 2024, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.38T, equivalent to 7.34% of GDP. This compares to Djibouti's deficit of $108M, or 2.6% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Djibouti ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.46% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.17% of GDP for Djibouti.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Djibouti
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Djibouti
2024 0.2% 2.1%
2023 0.2% 1.4%
2022 2% 5.2%
2021 0.9% 1.2%
2020 2.5% 1.8%
2019 2.9% 3.3%
2018 2.1% 0.1%
2017 1.6% 0.6%
2016 2% 2.4%
2015 1.5% -0.5%
2014 2% 1.3%
2013 2.7% 1.1%
2012 2.6% 4.2%
2011 5.4% 5.2%
2010 3.3% 2.5%
2009 -0.7% 5.6%
2008 5.9% 8.7%
2007 4.7% 5.9%
2006 1.5% 3.5%
2005 1.8% 3.3%
2004 3.9% 2.4%
2003 1.1% 1.6%
2002 -0.8% 1.4%
2001 0.7% 1.9%
2000 0.4% 1.2%
1999 -1.4% -0.4%
1998 -0.8% 2.2%
1997 2.8% 2.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/djibouti | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 2.56% in Djibouti. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 2.1% in Djibouti.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $1.01B
Machinery & equipment $966M
Metals $568M
Chemicals & pharma $296M
Raw materials & minerals $109M
Wood & paper products $38.1M
Miscellaneous $24.9M
Weapons & explosives $19M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.66M
Precious metals & jewellery $3.2M
Djibouti
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $96.4M
Machinery & equipment $13.9M
Raw agricultural goods $3.52M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.05M
Metals $1.08M
Animal & marine products $179K
Textiles & consumer goods $150K
Chemicals & pharma $43K
Miscellaneous $4K

Balance of trade

China Djibouti
Current account balance
$424B
2024
$610M
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
59/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
+14.7%
2024
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$4.04B
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$4.08B
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$730M
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$1.17B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
114.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2024
126.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

China Djibouti
Economic freedom 48.3 56.3
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 122/197
Property rights 40.9 30.4
Government integrity 42.3 27.9
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 28.6
Tax burden 69.3 83.5
Government spending 67.8 86.7
Fiscal health 4.4 87.7
Business freedom 68.7 52.9
Labor freedom 57.9 57.5
Monetary freedom 76.1 70.6
Trade freedom 73.4 49.8
Investment freedom 20 50
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Djibouti
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Djibouti
2026 48.3 56.3
2025 49 55.7
2024 48.5 55.8
2023 48.3 56.1
2022 48 55.3
2021 58.4 56.2
2020 59.5 52.9
2019 58.4 47.1
2018 57.8 45.1
2017 57.4 46.7
2016 52 56
2015 52.7 57.5
2014 52.5 55.9
2013 51.9 53.9
2012 51.2 53.9
2011 52 54.5
2010 51 51
2009 53.2 51.3
2008 53.1 51.2
2007 52 52.4
2006 53.6 53.2
2005 53.7 55.2
2004 52.5 55.6
2003 52.6 55.7
2002 52.8 57.8
2001 52.6 58.3
2000 56.4 55.1
1999 54.8 57.1
1998 53.1 55.9
1997 51.7 54.5
1996 51.3 -
1995 52 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/djibouti | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, compared to 56.3 for Djibouti, ranking 122/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

China Djibouti
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
76.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
15.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
2.51%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$4.25B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$8,030
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$349M
2024
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
165/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$67.8M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$67.8M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
3.27%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
23%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
0.25%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/djibouti | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–2008, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.